Game, Set, Serena!

A couple weeks ago my friends and I went to...dare I say it for fear of complete humiliation..."Rock-N-Racquets" to see Serena Williams and the smoking hot Andy Roddick. Being the avid player and fan that I am, I knew this was something that I really wanted to attend. Walking up to the doors of the arena, I noticed there weren't too many people outside and I right away thought, "Yes! Not too many people have heard about this, and Serena and I will become best friends!" Well would you know, not a half second after I completed that wishful thinking thought, I opened the doors to the lobby to a sea of florescent yellow volleyball sized tennis balls, racquets, posters, T-shirts, racquet bags, calendars, shoes and pictures held by overly excited and yelling parents, kids and coaches. After seeing this, I immediately went into the "I-refuse-to-look-as-stupidly-star-struck-as-you-people-do"! Being the always calm, cool and collected individual that I am...(wink!) I stood "uninterested" with my friends, waiting on my friend to arrive with my free ticket (that happened to be accompanied with a box seat!).

After I had been poked in the back with 2 racquets and nudged forward by a 1999 U.S. Open T-shirt clad tennis mom, we had finally made it through the turn stile. As we made our way up the stairs to the promenade area were the events celebrities (including Gavin Rossdale, Justin Gimelstob and John Isner) were perched at a signing table, we noticed that the line for autographs had nearly tripled before our very eyes. Not really wanting to stand in this outrageous line for scribble scratch that I would constantly have to say, "It really does say Serena Williams," I made the executive decision to bypass the line and head for the box.

Around the corner, we ran into my friend (with the tickets) and stopped to chat. After a few cordial causalities my "comp ticket and box seat hook-up" informed me that standing ever so closely to my right was someone that I should go talk to. Laughing off the weak try at a "go-get-your-mack-on" ploy, I glanced to my right to see a younger looking guy wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, black workout pants and "tennis" tennis shoes...and yes there is a difference...with ear buds in place and arms crossed leaning ever so coolly against the wall. Turning back to my friend I asked why he was such a big deal, and what could I possibly want to talk with him about. As if that next moment was taken straight out of "The Sandlot" when Squints was telling the story about the lost ball over the fence and he says "FOOOORREVVVER," my "comp ticket and box seat hook-up" said..."TTTHHHAAT'SSS
SEEERRREENNNAAA'SS HHIIITTTING PAAARRRTTNEEER!!!"

No sooner did the word "hitting" come out of my friend's mouth, I had made my way across the room and was standing, hand out and ready, beside my now (second-to-Serena) new best friend. I immediately introduced myself and told the guy that my friend insisted that I come over and meet him. In a strong and somewhat difficult to understand German accent, the guy said hello and introduced himself, shaking my hand. Without wasting one precious second and without hesitation I said, "So, you're Serena's hitting partner huh?!" The guy, looking a bit taken a back by my sometimes overpowering "Kim" ways said yes, smiled, looked at me a bit strangely and began to put his ear buds back in. With my thoughts on future connections I, without thinking, reached out and grabbed his arm, somewhat pulling it down and said, "You know, I would love to play with her." Looking around nervously for the closest bodyguard, then glancing at me, the guy said with a laugh, "Do you play?" Do I play, I thought, pah...he doesn't even KNOW me! (CP!)

Trying not to be offended that this kid hadn't followed my tennis career from Germany, I told him a resounding, "Yes." To my utter shock the young guy, looking now somewhat interested, asked me where I was from. "Well Greenville of course," I said, with a brush off of my shoulders! "Is that anywhere near Charleston," the young guy asked. "Well, no, but it can surely be near Charleston." At this moment in the conversation, my heartbeat began to speed up and my always present perma-grin was beginning to make it's appearance. "If you know how to play and would like to hit with her, we will be in Charleston in April and I can see about setting something up for you." After staring at him in complete shock for a good 10 seconds, I said, with a slight stutter, "Umm wh ye yes I would want love oh my wha that would be amazing yes!!"

From that point on was a blur of ya da ya da's until e-mail addresses were exchanged and promises were made! I know the rest of the night fun things happened, but what...I don't really know. All I do know is that I now must get back into tennis shape, cross my fingers that this guy is a man of his word, pick out the cutest tennis dress and get ready for this opportunity of a life time!